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    an incredible journey of inspiration

    Educators Guide

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    CONTENTS

    About this Guide

    This Educator Guide for the giant screen film "Mystic India" is appropriate for students in

    grades 3 through 8. The guide includes pre- and post-activities to enhance your students'

    understanding of "Mystic India." Each section includes background information and activities,

    along with clear learning objectives. All activities and content provided adhere to National

    Education Standards, which are outlined in the chart on page 3.

    Additional resources

    www.goidirectory.nic.in

    A Government of India directory

    www.tourismofindia.comIndian government tourist office site

    www.swaminarayan.org/festivalsFind details on all major Indian festivals.

    www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.htmlFacts for each country of the world as prepared for the CIA.

    1

    About the Film. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

    National Education Standards. . . . . . . . . 3

    Pre-screening Activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

    Post-screening Activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

    India's Varied Habitats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

    Habitat Activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

    M a t h e m a t i c s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

    Mathematics Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

    Architecture and Monuments. . . . . . . 9

    Architecture & Monuments Activities . .10

    Festivals and Traditions. . . . . . . . . . . 11

    Festivals and Traditions Activities . . . 12

    People, Faces and Languages. . . . 13

    Activities.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

    Table of Contents

    Text: Danielle Waller

    Research: Ankur Patel, Hiten Mehta

    Design: Sadhu ShreejiSwarup Das

    Educational Standards: Carrie Bohnert

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    2

    About the Film

    "Mystic India" tells the true story of Neelkanth

    who, at age 11, set out alone on a seven-year

    journey across India, dressed only in a loincloth.

    India's festivals and traditions come to life on

    screen through song and dance, and the beauty

    and precision of India's architecture - including

    the perfectly proportioned Taj Mahal -

    demonstrate the mathematical skills used to

    construct ancient monuments. Along the way,

    Neelkanth experiences the harshness of India's

    land, which contains every type of habitat on

    Earth - from the freezing temperatures of the

    Himalayas to the scorching hot deserts to dense

    tropical rainforests - staying committed to a

    life of yoga and self-discipline while sharing his

    insights with others. In exploring India, a land

    of 1 billion people who speak 18 separate

    languages, the message of unity in diversity is

    stressed - an important message to Neelkanth,

    who became a great reformer of India,

    dispelling violence and social divisions while

    stressing a reverence for all forms of life. Unity

    in diversity is the central message of "Mystic

    India," that people of all nationalities are part

    of the same family, that "we all share the same

    sky, walk the same earth, and breathe the same

    air."

    About Neelkanth

    At age 11, Neelkanth - who had mastered the

    scriptures at age seven - set out alone on a

    seven-year journey across India, dressed only in

    a loincloth. He struggled through many

    hardships, enduring extremely cold

    temperatures and encountering wild beasts in

    the forests - carrying nothing to protect

    himself - all because he wanted to help people

    learn to live good lives.

    Using the powers of deep meditation, the child

    yogi endured the bitter cold of the Himalayan

    Mountains, walking barefoot as snow and ice

    crunched under his feet and even bathing in ice-

    covered water. Neelkanth's survival may have

    been due, in part, to a system of meditation

    known as "Tum-mo" or "inner fire," which has

    been known to raise people's temperatures by

    as much as 17 degrees, according to a study by

    Harvard Medical School. Neelkanth's seven-year

    journey ended in Loj, where he was named

    Swaminarayan. Transforming society, he dug

    wells and ponds for the poor and personally

    distributed food to the needy. He urged people

    to treat women with respect and ended female

    infanticide, a practice in which newborn baby

    girls were drowned in pots of milk. Neelkanth

    constructed six beautiful temples in his lifetime

    of 49 years, till 1830.

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    GRADES 3- 4 GRADES 5-8

    CIVICS Other Nations and World Affairs Other Nations and World Affairs

    NSS-C.K-4.4 NSS-C.5-8.4

    GEOGRAPHY Places and Regions Places and Regions

    NSS-G.K-12.2 NSS-G.K-12.2

    Human Systems Human Systems

    NSS-G.K-12.4 NSS-G.K-12.4

    The Uses of Geography The Uses of Geography

    NSS-G.K-12.6 NSS-G.K-12.6

    WORLD HISTORY Era 4: Expanding Zones of

    Exchange and Encounter, 300-1000 CE

    NSS-WH.5-12.4

    Era 5: Intensified Hemispheric

    Interactions,1000-1500 CE

    NSS-WH.5-12.5

    SCIENCE Personal and Social Perspectives Personal and Social Perspectives

    NS.K-4.6 NS.5-8.6

    FOREIGN LANGUAGE Cultures Cultures

    NL-FL.K-12.2 NF-FL.K-12.2

    Comparisons Comparisons

    NL-FL.K-12.4 NL-FL.K-12.4

    ENGLISH Multicultural Understanding Multicultural Understanding

    NL-ENG.K-12.9 NL-ENG.K-12.9

    VISUAL ART Understanding the Visual Arts in Understanding the Visual Arts in

    Relation to History and Cultures Relation to History and Cultures

    NA-VA.K-4.4 NA-VA.5-8.4

    MUSIC Understanding Music in Understanding Music in

    Relation to History and Culture Relation to History and CultureNA-M.K-4.9 NA-M.5-8.9

    DANCE Dance in Various Cultures Demonstrating and Understanding Dance in

    and Historical Periods Various Cultures and Historical Periods

    NA-D.K-4.5 NA-D.5-8.5

    3

    NATIONAL

    EDUCATION STANDARDS

    The above grid provides information about the topics covered in

    the Educators Guide, in connection with the U.S. National

    Educational Standards. Detailed descriptions relevant to the Guide,

    as well as the topics covered in the film, can be found in PDF

    documents on the Mystic India website, www.mysticindia.com, or

    from your local theater. Connections to the standards in the United

    Kingdom are also available on the website.

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    PRE--SCREENINGACTIVITIES

    POST--SCREENINGACTIVITIES

    1. What do students already know about

    India? Make a list of students' knowledge of

    India on a large poster board or on the

    chalkboard. The following are suggested

    questions:

    A. Where is India?

    B. What shape is India?

    C. What countries and bodies of water border

    India?

    D. What is India known for?

    E. How old is the Indian civilization?

    F. What is the capital of India?G. What does India's flag look like?

    H. What are India's major geographic features?

    I. What is the weather like in India?

    J. What languages are spoken in India?

    K. What is the population of India?

    L. What form of government does India have?

    M. What animals are associated with India?

    2. Using the questions above as a guide, work

    with your class to create a master table

    containing the following categories: "What We

    Know About India," "What We Don't Know," and

    "What We Want to Learn." Use the chart as a

    guide for exploring India further.

    1. After watching the film, review the table

    the class created in pre-screening activity #2.

    Ask them if anything they learned in "Mystic

    India" helped them answer some of the

    questions in the "What We Don't Know"

    category. Suggested teaching resources are

    listed in the front of this guide.

    2. Have your students write a review of the

    film and present it to the class. Review

    components should include the film's storyline,

    theme, acting quality, scenes and special

    effects, and what the students liked or dislikedabout the film.

    Send us some reviews from your

    class and we'll post them on our

    website, www.mysticindia.com!

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    INDIASVARIEDHABITATSIndia, the seventh largest country in the world,

    contains nearly every type of habitat on Earth.

    In the north are the towering Himalayan

    Mountains, the highest mountain system in the

    world. On the east coast is the Bay of Bengal

    and to the west, the Arabian Sea. The country's

    southernmost tip reaches into the Indian

    Ocean. In addition to mountains, plains and seas,

    India boasts the Thar Desert in the west and

    the marshlands of Kutch to the south. On the

    east is the world's largest delta, where the

    Ganges River drains into the Bay of Bengal.

    Climates

    India's climate ranges from tropical to arctic,

    depending on the region. India's diverse climate

    is due to its shape, unusual topography and

    geographical position. While most of India has a

    tropical or subtropical climate year-round, the

    northern plains experience a wider range, with

    cooler winters and hotter summers. In the

    mountains, there are cold winters and cool

    summers, with climate type changing within afew miles, from subtropical to polar, depending

    on the elevation. India's hot and dry season

    peaks in May, when temperatures climb as high

    as 120 degrees. The intense heat ends with the

    summer monsoon season, which lasts from mid-

    June through September. India's economy

    depends on the monsoon. Without it, there are

    poor harvests or none at all, which can lead to

    famine.

    Plant Life

    India's wide range of climates supports many

    diverse species of plant and animal life. India

    has an estimated 45,000 species of plants,

    including six percent of the world's flowering

    plant species. Plant life ranges from capers

    (spiny shrubs with pale flowers) and jujubes

    (fruit-producing trees with yellowish flowers),

    which are common, to bamboo. The Malabar

    Coast, a long narrrow plain located on the

    Arabian Sea in southwestern India, receives

    vast amounts of rainfall. The coast is a thickly

    wooded area featuring evergreens, bamboo and

    teak trees.

    Animal Life

    India's animal life features about 5,000 species

    of larger animals, including lions, tigers,

    panthers, wolves, snow leopards, elephants,

    rhinoceroses, black bears, wild buffalo and

    several species of monkeys. Venomous reptiles,

    including the cobra, are numerous, and India's

    rivers and coastal waters include many ediblevarieties of fish.

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    HABITATACTIVITIESObjective: To provide a personal connection

    between the students and the country of

    India through real-world challenges.

    1. How would you get to India? Investigate

    possibilities by land, air and sea, and then plan a

    route. Include distance traveled, countries

    crossed, and conditions endured, including

    temperatures and terrain.

    2. In "Mystic India," we see Neelkanth crossing

    the Himalayas. Discuss the difficulties of living

    in a mountainous region like the Himalayas.

    3. Produce a class display map of India. Divide

    the class into groups, each researching

    different aspects of India. The map could

    include physical features, weather, climate and

    borders.

    Ancient India

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    MATHEMATICS"It is true that -- even across the Himalayan

    barrier -- India has sent to the West such gifts

    as grammar and logic, philosophy and fables,

    hypnotism and chess and, above all, the numerals

    and the decimal system."

    Will Durant, American historian (1885 - 1981)

    India has made several significant contributions

    to the field of mathematics, though many of its

    contributions are attributed to others, often

    centuries after the concepts were first

    discovered in India. Written records

    illustrate the early discoveries of

    India's scholars, including theZero, the decimal system, the

    value of Pi, geometry and

    trigonometry.

    Zero

    India made a significant

    contribution to the numeral

    system with its discovery of

    the Zero. Without it, we wouldn't

    have computers and counting would

    be difficult. The earliest writtenevidence of the concept comes from an

    Indian text, Lokavibhaaga ("The Parts of the

    Universe"), which dates to 458 B.C. The Zero is

    explained in Arabic texts dating to 770 A.D.

    From these writings, the Zero was carried to

    Europe in the 8th century. Since the Roman

    numeral system was widely used at the time,

    the concept of zero did not find widespread

    acceptance until the 17th century.

    The Decimal System

    "It was India that gave us the ingenious

    method of expressing all numbers by means

    of ten symbols (decimal system), a

    profound and important idea which escaped

    the genius of Archimedes and Appolonius,

    two of the greatest men produced by

    antiquity." - La Place

    Through its discovery of the zero, India

    established a base ten system of numbers very

    early on. Indian mathematicians also were the

    first to discover an effective way to represent

    numbers ranging from tiny decimals to

    extremely large numbers. India's discovery that

    large numbers could be represented as powers

    of 10, along with written names for each of the

    numbers, up to the 12th power, were found in

    Vedic texts written at least 1,000 years before

    Euclid.

    The Value of Pi in India

    The ratio of the circumference and the

    diameter of a circle is known as Pi, which gives

    its value as 3.1428571. The old Sanskrit text

    Baudhayana Shulba Sutra of 6th century BCmentions this ratio to be approximately 3.

    Aryabhatt in 499 A.D. worked out the value of Pi

    to the fourth decimal place as 3.1416. Centuries

    later, in 825 A.D. Arab mathematician

    Mohammed Ibna Musa said, "This value has been

    given by the Hindus (Indians)."

    Pythagorean Theorem or Baudhayana's Theorem?

    The Pythagorean Theorem* - the square of the

    hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle equals the

    sum of the square of the two sides - wasdiscovered in 550 B.C. About 5,000 years

    earlier, Baudhayana worked out the equation in

    Baudhayana Sulba Sutra. He describes, "The

    area produced by the diagonal of a rectangle is

    equal to the sum of the area produced by its own

    two sides."

    *This theorem by Euclid was attributed to

    Pythagoras by Greek writers.

    Measurement of Time

    In the Indian text "Surya Siddhanta,"

    Bhaskaracharaya calculates the time taken for

    the Earth to orbit the sun to nine decimal

    places.

    Bhaskaracharaya = 365.258756484 days

    Modern accepted measurement = 365.2596 days

    Between Bhaskaracharaya's ancient

    measurement 1,500 years ago and the modern

    measurement, the difference is only 0.00085

    days, or 0.0002%.

    Did You Know ?

    Although Euclid is credited

    with the invention of geometry in

    300 B.C., the concept emerged in

    India in 1000 B.C., from the use of

    square and rectangular shapes in

    making altars. The word geometry

    appears rooted in the Indian

    word Gyaamiti, which means

    measuring the Earth.

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    Objective: To connect geography and math

    skills by encouraging students to think about

    mathematics from a non-western

    perspective.

    Vedic Mathematics

    1. Vedic Mathematics is founded on 16

    principles, which can be applied in numerous

    ways to solve various problems.

    Using the Indian principle, Nikhilam Navatash

    Charamandashatah ("All from nine and the last

    from ten"), solve the following

    equation.

    1,000 - 586

    Instructions: Take the first two digits in

    the second number (586) and subtract each

    of them from 9 (i.e. 9-5, 9-8). Then take the

    last digit (6) and subtract it from 10. The

    answer is 414.

    This calculation works for subtractions from

    any number that has a 1 followed by zeros (100,

    1,000, 10,000, etc.). When subtracting two digit

    numbers (83 or 45, for example), add a 0 in

    front (1,000 - 083 = 917).

    2. Another Vedic math concept is called

    Urdvatiryag Bhyam, meaning "vertically and

    crosswise." Using this concept, you don't need

    multiplication tables past 5 x 5.

    Suppose you need to multiply 8 x 7.

    Line up this equation vertically.

    8

    7

    See how far each number is below 10 and place

    that number to the right of each.

    8 2

    7 3

    Subtract crosswise (7-2 or 8-3 =5) and multiply

    vertically, using the numbers in the second

    column (2 X 3 = 6). The answer is 56.

    Try this concept using various equations.

    3. Using the formula "By one more than the one

    before," you can easily square numbers that end

    in 5.

    752

    =

    When the number ends in 5, the last part of the

    answer is always 25. The first part is the first

    number (7) multiplied by the number "one

    more," which is 8.

    7 x 8 = 56

    Answer: 5625

    Try this concept using various equations.

    MATHEMATICALACTIVITIES

    10 9 = 1,000 million = Koti

    1013

    = 1 million million = Niyuta

    1051

    = Vibhutangama

    1053

    = Talakshana

    10145

    = Dhvajagranishamani

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    ARCHITECTURE&MONUMENTS"Mystic India" explores India's many

    monuments, temples and palaces. The large,

    intricately designed structures were built

    thousands of years ago using architectural

    science and precise mathematical

    measurements. But how did ancient Indians

    learn how to build?

    The Vastu Shastra, the science of architecture,

    is found in the Vedas, which are 8,500-year-old

    scriptures that describe nearly every aspect of

    construction, including materials,

    techniques, guidelines and a complex

    mathematical pattern linked to

    astronomy. Regular shapes make up

    the structure of intricately

    designed sculptures and

    monuments, and each shape's

    significance is clearly

    explained. Out of the need for

    perfectly proportioned

    architecture arose the

    development of geometry and

    complex number systems.

    Surya Mandir

    Mandir is the Indian name for a

    place of worship. Mandirs

    function as a center of the Indian

    community, as gathering places

    where people unite to serve society.

    The Surya Mandir, built in 1027 A.D., is

    dedicated to Surya, the Sun God. Indians have

    worshipped the sun for centuries as a natural,

    life-giving resource. Using their knowledge of

    astronomy, the Indians built the Surya Mandir

    on a mound facing east so that, during the

    equinoxes, the rising sun shines straight

    through the temple doors into the sacred

    shrine. Geometrical knowledge allowed the

    Indians to devise a rectangular bathing area,

    with steps, using perfectly symmetrical stone

    slabs that fit into place like puzzle pieces,

    without use of mortar or cement. Fifty-two

    beautifully carved pillars, representing the

    number of weeks in a solar year, support the

    main area of the Mandir.

    Astronomy

    Indian astronomers have mapped the skies for

    3,500 years. One thousand years before

    Copernicus published the Copernican system in

    1543 (explaining the movement of the planets

    around the sun), Indian astronomer Aryabhatta

    wrote that the Earth is round, rotates on its

    axis, orbits the sun and is suspended in space.

    "Just as a person traveling in a boat feels that

    the trees on the bank are moving, people on the

    earth feel that the sun is moving," he wrote.

    Did You Know ?

    The rock-cut Kailas

    temple at Ellora is the worlds

    largest monolithic monument. It

    took 7,000 craftsmen to carve it,

    starting from the top of the hill

    of solid stone and chipping away

    downwards - for six

    generations - 150

    years!

    Kailas Temple, Ellora

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    ARCHITECTURE&MONUMENTS --ACTIVITIESObjective: The following activities are

    designed for the exploration of Indian

    architecture and the role of science and

    mathematics in the construction of ancient

    monuments.

    1. Have your students build their own Mandirs,

    demonstrating their knowledge of Indian

    architectural styles. Use one of the following

    architectural styles:

    A. North Indian

    B. South Indian

    C. East Indian

    D. West Indian

    Materials: Small boxes, plastic containers,

    Popsicle sticks, paint, markers, crayons

    2. Ask students to identify the geometric

    patterns in the Taj Mahal and Sun Temple

    below.

    South Indian Temple Gate

    East Indian Temple - Lingaraj

    West Indian Temple - Somnath

    North Indian Temple - Badrinath

    The Taj Mahal

    Sun Temple at Modhera

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    FESTIVALS&TRADITIONSIndia is a land of 1,000 holy festivals and

    traditions expressing its diverse culture and

    customs. Festivals preserve the Indian

    traditions of music, dance, arts and crafts while

    bringing people together in a celebratory

    setting. Different nationalities, races, religions

    and backgrounds celebrate as one.

    Holi: The Festival of Colors

    Holi, celebrated in March, marks the arrival of

    spring. Men, women and children drench each

    other with water mixed with colored powder, to

    signify God painting over their sins. Fires are litto keep away evil spirits.

    Diwali: The Festival of Lights

    Diwali, held at the end of November, is similar

    to Christmas celebrations in Western culture.

    People decorate their homes and

    businesses with colored lights, exchange

    gifts and enjoy large feasts with family

    and friends. Firecrackers and loud

    fireworks explode at night.

    Pooram: The Festival of Elephants

    Pooram is celebrated between the

    months of April and May in honor of

    Lord Vishnu. Decorated elephants,

    adorned with gold plated coverings and

    attached garlands, colorful umbrellas

    and hand fans, emerge from temples and

    are led on a midnight procession. The

    celebration closes with an early-morning

    fireworks display.

    Onam: The Festival of Boats

    Onam is a four-day festival held in the second

    half of August, commemorating the return of

    Mahabali, the Indians' once and future king.

    Women and girls celebrate by singing and

    dancing and young men race long snake boats.

    People also clean their houses and parents give

    gifts to their children.

    Annakut: The Festival of Food

    Held at the end of November, Annakut is a time

    for family reunions and large feasts, quite

    similar to Thanksgiving celebrations. In temples,

    hundreds of plates of delicacies are offered to

    God in return for blessings and a prosperous

    harvest. Annakut also marks the first day of

    the New Year.

    Rath Yatra Festival

    In "Mystic India," Neelkanth joins in the

    spectacular festival of Rath Yatra, held annually

    in early July. The festival, celebrated all overIndia, originated in Jagannath Puri, which houses

    one of the most sacred mandirs in eastern India.

    Each year, the sacred images of the Jagannath

    Mandir - Lord Krishna, Balaram and Subhadra -

    are installed on huge chariots (Raths) and are

    pulled through the streets in a procession

    (Yatra). The festivities commemorate the day

    that Lord Krishna and his brother Balram left

    Gokul, their hometown, on a chariot. The local

    king demonstrates service to God by sweeping

    the road ahead of the procession with a golden

    broom. Almost 1 million people participate in the

    Rath Yatra each year.

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    Objective: Students experience and learn

    about some of India's greatest festivals and

    traditions.

    1. What holidays do you like to celebrate?

    Investigate the reasons for particular

    celebrations, such as Hannukah, Easter,

    Christmas, St. Patrick's Day and Chinese New

    Year.

    2. In "Mystic India," Neelkanth greets people

    with folded hands, a traditional Indian greeting

    that shows respect. Investigate different ways

    people greet each other in other parts of the

    world. Compare them to how you greet people in

    your own country.

    3. You just learned about Annakut, the Festival

    of Food. Hold your own Annakut celebration in

    the classroom. Prepare food items that are

    traditional to your background or just pick your

    favorite food and share it with your classmates.

    4. Try out the hand gestures given on the right

    in class, and try to imagine how they are part of

    a traditional dance. See the dance photograph(below, left) for clues.

    FESTIVALS&TRADITIONS --ACTIVITIES

    Did you know?

    Indian dance incorporates hand

    gestures and movements of eyes, using

    the whole body for expression. Hand gestures

    can represent or symbolize things, such as rivers,

    animals or people, and the movement of the head an

    eyes conveys mood and emotion. One of the oldest,

    most popular and widely performed dance forms is

    Bharata Natyam. Nurtured in southern India's templ

    and courts since ancient times, the style features a

    wide range of postures, movements and rhythms and

    is practiced today by male and female dancers all

    over India. Other Indian dance forms feature

    fast rhythmic footwork, large headdresses

    and extraordinary costumes and

    makeup.

    Pooram : Festival of Elephants

    Kathakali : Traditional Dance

    Holi : Festival of Colors

    Diwali : Festival of Lights

    BharataNatyam: Traditional Dance Rath Yatra : The Chariot Festival

    Annakut : Festival of Food

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    13

    India's 18 languages and 1,600 different

    dialects are a world record! Amidst the

    diversity of languages, customs and lifestyles

    exists a common thread of love, respect and

    hospitality. India's population is diverse as well

    as large, representing about 1/6 of the

    population worldwide!

    Common links

    Hinduism is India's primary religion and the

    world's oldest, at 8,500 years old. Its roots lie

    in the Indus valley, which had 300 advanced

    settlements as early as 5,000 B.C. People living

    near the Indus River became known as Hindus.

    Hindus believe that God is present in all living

    things and that man is not limited to one birth,

    but can experience reincarnation and go on to

    live other lives. The goal of Hinduism, however,

    is to break the cycle of reincarnation to achieve

    eternal life, or ultimate liberation. Hindus

    strive to accomplish liberation through guidance

    and blessings of a spiritual master, or guru, and

    prayer to sacred images, which represent God's

    divine presence. Hinduism teaches people to live

    in harmony, stressing universal values including

    service, love, forgiveness, sacrifice, faith,

    tolerance and others.

    Hindus

    Comprising 81 percent of India's population,

    Hinduism has its roots in old religious texts,

    known as the Vedas. Hinduism stresses that by

    living a perfect life, people can be freed from

    materialism and join with the eternal.

    Buddhists

    Buddhists make up 2.5 percent of India's

    population. Buddha, born in Nepal 2,500 years

    ago, wandered the Ganges plain until achieving

    enlightenment. Buddhism went forth from India

    into Asia and is based on the Noble Truths: life

    is suffering; the cause of suffering is ignorant

    craving for wealth and transient pleasure; and

    that suffering can end following the eight-fold

    path.

    Jains

    Jains make up 2.5 percent of India's population.

    Jainism's founder, Vardhamana Mahavir, was

    one of Buddha's contemporaries. Jains describe

    the soul as crystal, pure and clean, growing dark

    with every evil act. Non-violence, or Ahisma, is

    the key to purity.

    Muslims

    The second largest majority in India, at 12

    percent of the population, the Muslim religion is

    rooted in the seventh century. At the age of

    40, Muslim prophet Muhammed is said to have

    received the word of God (Allah), which is

    written in the Koran. Many of India's 16th and

    17th century rulers were Muslims.

    Sikhs

    The Sikhs, which make up 1.9 percent of India's

    population, honor one God and do not worship an

    idol. Sikh practices include wearing a turban and

    never cutting the hair or beard. During the rule

    of Muslim emperors, Sikhs were heavily

    persecuted.

    Parsis

    Parsis comprise 2.5 percent of India's

    population. The Parsi faith was founded in the

    6th century by Zoroaster and is also called

    Zoroastrianism. Parsis worship one God, Ahura

    Mazda ("Lord Wisdom"), and believe that those

    who choose Truth, rather than Lie, in life will

    achieve eternal paradise. Parsi temples contain

    a small holy fire - which Parsis regard as

    purifying and sacred - that is kept continuously

    burning.

    PEOPLE,FACES&LANGUAGES

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    ACTIVITIESJews

    Found mainly in south India, Jews represent a

    very small community in India. India has had

    trade relations with the Middle East for 2,000

    years, making it likely that a small group of

    traders made their home in South India. Jews

    believe in one God who created the universe and

    governs it, and that divine intelligence is

    infused into everyday life.

    Christians

    Found mainly in south and west India, Christians

    comprise 2.3 percent of India's population.

    Christianity was introduced by early traders

    and it is also believed that one of Jesus' 12

    apostles, St. Thomas, came to India to preach

    and died in Chennai. Christianity was

    reintroduced with the rule of the British, who

    considered Indian beliefs to be backwards and

    sent missionaries to teach Indians about

    Christianity.

    Objective: Introduce students to the diversity

    of Indian culture through its people,

    languages and religions.

    1. Be a detective. How many languages do you

    encounter in one day? Go to the newspaper

    stand or library and look at the variety of

    languages you find there. Go online and search

    for newspapers in other languages.

    2. Does anyone in your class speak another

    language? Learn how to say hello, goodbye and

    thank you in a variety of languages. Investigate

    the country from which each language

    originates. Compare each language to the

    English language.

    3. At the end of "Mystic India," India's gift is

    revealed: "Unity in diversity, of co-existence,

    understanding and harmony." Ask students to

    discuss this message and develop ideas on how

    to implement the message in their daily lives.

    How is this message of use in today's world?

    4. Read out the numbers below, given in

    different languages, and point out thesimilarities between them.

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    BAPS Swaminarayan SansthaMystic India

    Shahibaug, Ahmedabad - 380 004Gujarat, INDIA

    Phone: +91 79 2562 2810, +91 79 2562 2489Fax: +91 79 2562 6883